Holderness: Hedon, Preston, Lelley, Sproatley

A mild, still day with light cloud and sunny spells, very pleasant for walking. I take the 75 to Hedon. Swifts and House Martins fly over the church. Then I walk north along Church Lane and then along Preston Road, where a dual bike/pedestrian lane is parallel to the road until Preston. I record aquatic plants from bridges and popped to the edge of a hay meadow, where I find my first Ringlet and Meadow Brown of the year.

Ringlet.

Meadow Brown.

House Sparrow.

Mating Goldfinches.

Mating Goldfinches.

Small Tortoiseshells. I see a few along today's route.

A Roesel's nymph on a grassy field margin.

This Blackbird was singing while holding food in its mouth.

I'm so pleased each time I find a Yellow Wagtail on these walks. This one was on the roof of Woodhouse Farm.

I walk along East End road and then cut across Woodhouse Farm track to Nuttles Road, to Lelley. It is a busy road, and although the verges have been cut, it is not a pleasant stretch of road. I have my lunch at Lelley war memorial bench, and then I go to the Stag's Head for a coffee and toilet break. After, it's a bridleway to Sproatley, what a joy to be away from the traffic. There are some 

New York Farm sign.

A street in Lelley.

Rabbits.

Lelley Balk, a bridleway.

Linnet.

A Lesser Black-backed Gull mobs a passing Buzzard.

Buzzard.

I get to the edge of Sproatley and meander around the minor streets aiming for the Church. There are wooded footpaths and a lovely meadow, where I disturb a Roe Deer buck, which barks as it bounds away. I'm in luck that the direct bus to Hull, 277, is in 10 minutes. I will have to start two more walks at Sproatley, so I'm happy to leave exploring more of the village for then.

Cottage at Boggle's Lane.

Large Skipper.

St Swithun's Church at Sproatley.